The third day proceeded well. With just one afternoon game per day, the top players were able to prepare for their opponents. The top seeds faced each other and fought tenaciously, but in the end a draw could not be avoided. Going into the 6th round there are 4 players on 4.5 points, so we should continue to see some fine chess.
In the Challenger section there are 6 players with 3/3 points and two more close behind with 2.5
More upsets, but not on the top two boards. Leading the field after 4 rounds are GM Nigel Short, GM Sune Berg Hansen and IM Sunil Mokal Prathamesh, all on maximum points, closely followed by IM Jayaram Ashwin, IM Atanu Lahiri and WGM Mohota Nisha on 3.5/4. That will have to end tomorrow as the two top boards face each other (Short has white) – that should be a memorable game as it has got to be too soon for insipid handshakes after 6 moves. Crosstables and pairings at chess-results.com
FM Wisuwat Teerapabpaisit leads the field of local players with 3/4.
The Challenger group kicked off today with two games. Results and board pairings can be found at chess-results.com
The first 2 rounds are complete and there have been a few upsets, with IM Rahul Shetty beating GM Marat, and Danish IM Torben Sørensen giving a point away to WFM Kulkami Bhakti. Full results and pairings for the next round are available at chess-results.com
Check out the Google search story…
GM Marat Dzhumaev, rated 2525, has joined the growing list of international grandmasters vying for the Thailand Open crown. Dzhumaev has represented Uzbekistan in two Olympiads and the Word Team Chess Championships.
Sasin organised a fantastic event over the weekend with the Thailand Junior Chess Championships, followed by a spectacular double simul featuring the current Thailand Champion, Krisdayut Plengsap, and Croatian GM Dražen Sermek, who lives in Phuket. Each champion had to face not only 20 boards, but met in the middle to play each other at the same time.
While the GM had to face more challenging opponents, it was also tough for Krisdayut as it was his first simultaneous exhibition match, and he had to spend more time at each board and to complete the gruelling match.
Congratulations to the top-notch Sasin business school for their great organisation of the events.
GM Nigel Short has confirmed his participation in the 10th Thailand Open 2010, no doubt planning to avoid too many draws and get his name on the trophy this time. He will also have noted that, with the new format, the important games will be played at one per day, allowing more time for preparation and hangover recovery.